Alumni pen potraits

Name: Neil PeddieDates attended: 1983 until 1988

School days

Throughout my time at Wellacre I undertook to push and drive myself, understanding in the back of my mind I would never achieve top grades and to be happy with a pass. This was due to a major problem I had with dyslexia and back in the 1980’s the condition was not fully understood. Despite this I was able to maintain constant improvements moving from bottom of my grades to middle of the class. In addition to my education, while at the school I also undertook a number of fundraising initiatives for the school, they included raffles, pet show, winter and summer fairs. This provided me with a great desire to work in charity in later life. For this, during an awards evening, I was pleased to receive the Headmaster’s prize relating to the extra-curricular activities of providing vital finance to the school.

Post Wellacre Education AchievementsWhen I left Wellarce I did not jump into further education but elected to move into the youth training scheme (YTS) now seen as a modern apprenticeship.

I became a computer software engineer. It was in this role I was able to climb the career ladder at a great pace, starting in software development and by my mid 20s I was an infrastructure manager. After a number of years working for Exel Logistics (now DHL) I selected to move into a new phase of my life and had my first career change working for Computer Associates. Working at CA provided a wide number of opportunities to build upon my ever growing skills. It was with my new skill set that I was approached by a friend to consider a career working for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

After just 5 years at CA I made the move to the FCO as Lead Infrastructure Officer (global computer networks). This role required all my skills to build a team of officers who were able to provide global internet browsing and email capabilities within a very secure network. While in my role at the FCO I have developed and progressed through a number of jobs towards my goal of being a security accreditor. This is the job that I carry out to date.

I feel totally honoured to be working at the centre of government, in a job that I totally love but I never forget my time at Wellacre. Without my determination to progress when at school from the lower set of 1.1, I do feel that my drive in life to progress to Head of Accreditation would not have been possible. My desire to progress has not ended as, at the time of penning this note, I’m awaiting the formal start of my PHD in cyber security.

So if I can provide you with a single takeaway, never settle for just coasting along, hard work and perseverance can result in your dreams being achieved.